How to Apply

PLEASE REVIEW THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY.

THE APPLICATION DEADLINE IS FEBRUARY 15.

HOW TO APPLY.

A completed application for the K-State Biology Research Experiences for Undergraduates program will consist of four items. Item 1 will be submitted online. Items 2-4 must be submitted by email as pdf files (see How To Submit Your Application, below). Questions regarding the application process should be directed to biologyreu@ksu.edu.

Complete the Online Application Form. Demographic information is optional but is used for reporting to our funding sponsor, the National Science Foundation.

A Two-page Essay (maximum) addressing the student's interest in ecology and evolutionary biology. Discussion of how participation in the KSU Biology REUwill facilitate your professional career goals are useful in evaluating a candidates research potential. We recommend a clear focus on the goals, features, and faculty mentors associated with this REU Site program. Try to emphasize your recent professional experiences and avoid describing events during childhood. Essays should be single-spaced and should be in a legible font (12 point) with 1 inch margins.

Unofficial copies of your Academic Transcript(s). If accepted into the REU program, applicants will be required to provide an official copy before arriving in Kansas to start the summer program.

Letters of Recommendation from two persons. Individuals who are able to comment on the applicant’s academic ability are preferred, including faculty advisors at the student’s home institution or mentors from previous research activities.

Instructions for those writing letters of recommendation:

Letter writers should include the applicant's name, how long they have know the applicant and in what capacity, and a ranking or evaluation of the applicant relative to their peer group. Please comment on overall research ability or potential, oral and written communication skills, ability to work independently, and enthusiasm.

Please save your letter of recommendation as a pdf file. Name the file with the applicant's last name and first initial followed by the respondent's last name (if Dr. Smith writes a letter in support of Fred Jones' application, the file would be named JonesF_Smith.pdf). Only pdfs with appropriate file names will be accepted.

Letters of recommendation should be sent directly by the letter writer to biologyreu@ksu.edu.

HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION.

Convert your essay and transcript(s) into two separate pdf files. Name each file with your last name and first initial. For example, Fred Jones would name his files JonesF_essay.pdf and JonesF_transcript.pdf. The pdf files can be created using Adobe Acrobat, recent versions of Microsoft Office (under "Save As" or "Print"), online pdf makers at Acrobat.com, or with free software tools from cutepdf.com or primopdf.com. Only pdfs with appropriate file names will be accepted.

Applicants should attach their essay and transcript(s) to a single email message and send it to biologyreu@ksu.edu. Please ask those writing your recommendation letters to email their letters of recommendation directly to the same address, following the instructions above.

Completed applications, including the application form, two page essay, unofficial transcripts, and letters of recommendation, should be received on or before February 15. We expect to start making offers to applicants by February 25. Students not receiving initial offers will be wait-listed for opportunities and it usually takes 2-4 weeks to complete our selection process. Students invited to participate in the REU program must accept or reject the offer within a week. Questions regarding the application and selections procedures can be directed to biologyreu@ksu.edu, or the Program Coordinators.